Autumn Lentil Soup

A hearty and warming lentil soup packed with vegetables and savory herbs, served with crusty bread and a light green salad for a balanced, nourishing meal.

• Prep: 15 min
• Cook: 45 min
• Total: 1 hr
• Servings: 5
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $3.34/serving

Dietary

• Vegan
• Dairy-Free
• Nut-Free
• Vegetarian
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• Pescatarian
• High-Protein
• High-Fiber

Tags

• healthy
• comfort food
• boil
• steam
• savory
• budget-friendly

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion (large, chopped)
• 2 carrots (chopped)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 2 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce, undrained)
• 6 cup vegetable broth
• 1.5 cup lentils (rinsed)
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 baguette
• 4 cup mixed greens
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped yellow onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until softened.
2. Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
3. Add canned diced tomatoes (undrained), vegetable broth, and rinsed lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
4. Stir in fresh spinach and red wine vinegar. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until spinach is wilted. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Prepare a simple green salad by tossing mixed greens with 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar.
6. Serve Autumn Lentil Soup hot with slices of baguette or crusty bread and the green salad.

Notes

This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. It freezes well for convenient future meals. Adjust thickness by adding more broth or simmering longer.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 22 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fat: 11.5 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sodium: 790 mg
• Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
• Sugar: 7 g